We Tested 10 Coffee Machines: Which One Makes the Best Latte?

If you’re serious about your morning latte, you already know that not all coffee machines are created equal. That’s why we tested the best coffee makers 2025 from budget-friendly espresso makers to premium machines that rival your local barista. Each promises smooth milk, rich crema, and consistent performance. The results? Surprisingly varied.

Whether you’re a student looking for your first machine or a seasoned coffee lover ready to upgrade, this guide breaks down what truly matters when it comes to making the best latte at home.

What Makes a Great Latte?

To judge the machines fairly, we focused on four main elements. First, espresso quality, including pressure, consistency, and crema. Second, milk frothing performance, especially texture and heat. Third, ease of use, including setup, cleaning, and controls. And lastly, design and value for money.

We also made sure each machine was tested with whole milk, oat milk, and almond milk to see how versatile their steam wands or automatic frothers were. Because real life is more than just dairy.

Entry-Level Picks: Affordable But Impressive

Our first contender was the Breville One-Touch CoffeeHouse. For the price, it punches well above its weight. The espresso was slightly on the weaker side, but the automatic milk frother created silky foam with dairy milk and decent texture with oat milk. It’s great for beginners who want one-button operation without fuss.

Next, we tried the De’Longhi Dedica Style. This compact machine heats quickly and delivers a rich shot with solid crema. The steam wand takes practice, and oat milk needed extra time to get to latte texture, but the learning curve is worth it if you want control without breaking the bank.

We also looked at the Swan Retro Pump Espresso Machine. While the vintage design wins hearts, its performance felt more style than substance. It’s good for casual users who enjoy a latte once in a while, but the steam wand lacked consistency and the shot was a bit too bitter when tested with fine grinds.

Mid-Range Machines: Balanced Power and Price

Stepping into mid-range territory, the Nespresso Creatista Plus offers an almost foolproof latte experience. Its automatic steam wand adjusts texture and temperature perfectly, and the pod system saves time. While purists may scoff at the use of capsules, the flavour profile was well-balanced, and almond milk foam held impressively well.

Another standout was the Gaggia Classic Pro. This machine is for those who want manual control with barista-level output. Once dialled in, it produced espresso with a deep, velvety crema and frothed milk like a dream. However, it does require effort to master grind size, tamping pressure, and shot timing. Not ideal if you’re rushing out the door, but perfect for weekend coffee rituals.

We also tested the Lavazza A Modo Mio Desea. This lesser-known gem offers four milk settings and very user-friendly controls. The coffee taste leaned slightly on the mild side, but it made well-layered lattes in under three minutes. For busy households or small kitchens, it’s a solid all-rounder.

High-End Winners: Café-Level Quality at Home

Now, for the serious coffee lovers, we turned to the heavy hitters. The Sage Barista Express Impress made one of the best lattes in the test. It grinds, doses, and tamps for you, then delivers rich espresso with excellent crema and robust flavour. The manual steam wand gives full control over froth quality, and the build quality feels premium without being overly complex.

Then came the Jura E8, a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine. It was the most expensive on our list but also the most effortless. The latte setting creates café-style drinks at the touch of a button. It works equally well with non-dairy milk and even includes a cleaning system that alerts you when it needs maintenance. If you love coffee and convenience, this machine feels futuristic.

Finally, we tried the Miele CM6160. Quiet, stylish, and packed with features, it brewed consistently flavourful espresso with the smoothest microfoam of all the machines we tested. Its interface is intuitive and can store custom drink profiles, which is a big plus for multi-person households. The only downside is the price tag, but for those who want perfection, it delivers.

What You Get at Each Price Range

Under £200, you’re getting convenience and compact design with acceptable coffee quality. Perfect for first-timers or occasional latte drinkers.

Between £250 and £500, expect better espresso extraction, stronger milk frothing power, and more customization options. Great for households that want consistent quality without going full barista mode.

Over £600, machines become smarter, faster, and more reliable. You’ll enjoy barista-level performance, auto cleaning, and advanced milk tech. Ideal for serious home brewers or those who drink coffee daily and want to invest once.

Real-World Latte Test: The Winner

After a week of side-by-side comparisons, the best overall latte came from the Sage Barista Express Impress. It delivered rich espresso, perfect milk texture, and still left room for user creativity. It sits at the intersection of smart automation and hands-on craft, making it ideal for coffee lovers who want the best of both worlds.

If ease and speed matter more than milk art, the Jura E8 takes the crown for automation. For capsule lovers, the Creatista Plus proved that even pods can compete when engineered well.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right coffee machine isn’t about spending the most. It’s about matching your habits, space, and priorities with a machine that complements your lifestyle. Whether you’re building a morning ritual or fuelling your home office, the best coffee makers 2025 offer something for every routine and taste. Choosing the right one means finding the model that fits both your style and budget.

Not all machines are created equal, but the best coffee makers 2025 combine smart design, rich flavor, and real value. Ready to upgrade your brew? Explore our full coffee machine collection at
https://houseappliancespro.co.uk and find the model that will transform your mornings.